research-article

Evaluating the efficiency of physical visualizations

Authors:

Pierre Dragicevic,

Jean-Daniel FeketeAuthors Info & Claims

CHI '13: Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

Pages 2593 - 2602

https://doi.org/10.1145/2470654.2481359

Published: 27 April 2013 Publication History

Abstract

Data sculptures are an increasingly popular form of physical visualization whose purposes are essentially artistic, communicative or educational. But can physical visualizations help carry out actual information visualization tasks? We present the first infovis study comparing physical to on-screen visualizations. We focus on 3D visualizations, as these are common among physical visualizations but known to be problematic on computers. Taking 3D bar charts as an example, we show that moving visualizations to the physical world can improve users' efficiency at information retrieval tasks. In contrast, augmenting on-screen visualizations with stereoscopic rendering alone or with prop-based manipulation was of limited help. The efficiency of physical visualizations seems to stem from features that are unique to physical objects, such as their ability to be touched and their perfect visual realism. These findings provide empirical motivation for current research on fast digital fabrication and self-reconfiguring interfaces.

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Cited By

Kedwan F(2024)Intermolecular Forces in a Physical Molecular Visualization System: A Human-Computer Interaction ApplicationEuropean Journal of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology10.59324/ejaset.2024.2(2).142:2(212-223)Online publication date: 1-Mar-2024
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Siqueira Rodrigues LSchmidt TIsrael JZachow SNyakatura JKosch T(2024)Comparing the Effects of Visual, Haptic, and Visuohaptic Encoding on Memory Retention of Digital Objects in Virtual RealityProceedings of the 13th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/3679318.3685349(1-13)Online publication date: 13-Oct-2024
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Index Terms

Evaluating the efficiency of physical visualizations
1. Human-centered computing
  1. Human computer interaction (HCI)

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cover image ACM Conferences

CHI '13: Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

April 2013

3550 pages

ISBN:9781450318990

DOI:10.1145/2470654

General Chair:
Wendy E. Mackay
INRIA
,
Program Chairs:
Stephen Brewster
Glasgow University
,
Susanne Bødker
University of Aarhus

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Published: 27 April 2013

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https://doi.org/10.59324/ejaset.2024.2(2).14
Kedwan F(2024)Intermolecular Forces in a Physical Molecular Visualization System: A Human-Computer Interaction ApplicationSSRN Electronic Journal10.2139/ssrn.4840189Online publication date: 2024
https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4840189
Siqueira Rodrigues LSchmidt TIsrael JZachow SNyakatura JKosch T(2024)Comparing the Effects of Visual, Haptic, and Visuohaptic Encoding on Memory Retention of Digital Objects in Virtual RealityProceedings of the 13th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/3679318.3685349(1-13)Online publication date: 13-Oct-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3679318.3685349
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